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What to do with manure ?

AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
edited November 2022 in Plants
I have a bag of Westland Farmyard manure (other brands are available l'm sure). I have been waiting to speed it over my flower bed for a few weeks now, but due to the exceptionally mild weather there is very little bare soil visible. 
Is it worth me spreading it when the weather eventually turns colder, or would it be better to leave it until Spring now ? 
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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Just keep it until your ground is bare enough. It won't matter if it's December, January or into March or April  :)  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Thanks @Fairygirl :)
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    If it's something like manure which contains nutrients for plants, I'd wait until March/April. Then as your plants wake up they will have food ready and waiting.

    If you spread it now, by next Spring, winter rains will have washed most of nutrients away.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think the ready bagged stuff has less goodness in it though, compared to 'fresh off the field' rotted manure, as it were. 
    That's just my perception though, having used both.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    That was my thinking as well @Pete.8, l didn't want to lose any goodness it contains.
    lt may have less strength being commercially produced, but every little helps  :)


     
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You'll just have to time it @AnniD, so that you know where your plants are coming though, but it'll depend on the plants you have too  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • MikeOxgreenMikeOxgreen Posts: 812
    Petes right, leave it until Spring.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Manure's main purpose is as a soil conditioner, so it can be used at any time of year.  :)
    It won't add a great amount of nutrients to perennials unless they're ones which don't need much anyway. That's why I said it depends on the plants. 
    I've never found commercial manure makes much difference in growth or flowering potential for perennials. I've sometimes used it for my sweet peas in pots, but the difference is minimal, if there's any at all. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • MikeOxgreenMikeOxgreen Posts: 812
    Manure is plant food and a soil conditioner.
    There is little point in putting food on plants which aren't going to grow until next Spring.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's a soil conditioner, so it can go on at any time.
    It's very simple.  :/
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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